Computersight -

Let’s face it, there are corporations and governments watching everything you do on the internet. Google is one of them, an organisation that records everything you do with one of their services. This guide should help you to find some freely available tools to help secure not only your private information, but your private files also.

#5 – XeroBank Browser

The XeroBank browser provides identity protection, anonymous surfing, and communications security for powerful internet privacy, according to their company spiel. Realistically, it basically moves to keep you safe whilst you’re online. It basically works like an ISP, or Internet Service Provider, routing your traffic through them whilst achieving maximum security. This, however, is open to corruption from within the XeroBank network, and data about you can and may still be logged by their servers. It can be found here: https://xerobank.com/

#4 – TrueCrypt

TrueCrypt is a powerful utility for on-the-fly encryption. It utilises government grade encryption to protect any data necessary. One of its most useful, err, uses is to create hidden, powerfully protected volumes on hard disks or USB keys that are near impossible to crack. The encryption algorithms it uses are AES, in use by the American government, Serpent, second only to Rindjael (not included) and Twofish, also a powerful algorithm. These can be combined to create extra-strength volumes, or left singular to be difficult on their own. For more information, visit their website here: http://www.truecrypt.org/

#3 – Stealth Message

Stealth Message is just that – an email (or electronic mail) service that assures security. You don’t have to download any software, and it works just like a normal email service. Your emails are routed through completely random servers, but the best option is a ‘self-destruct’ option, where you can completely remove all traces of your messages! Say you attach a 30 minute timer on a private email to, say, a corrupt employer, containing rude words and/or private information he or she would rather keep secret, the employer can read the message, worry a great deal, maybe even call the police, but the email would be gone before he could prove it exists, without a trace. Found here: http://www.stealthmessage.com/

#2 – ZoneAlarm

Not much to say about this one, other than it’s a very good firewall. Does well at keeping spyware out of your computer, and really should be a staple in any computer user’s arsenal. It’s like an antivirus, but it works predominantly on the browser level, making sure that no hidden nasties are trying to access somewhere on your computer. Found here:  www.zonealarm.com

#1 – The Tor Browser

Definitely the best possible program you could get for privacy. It works similarly to XeroBank, but it routs your traffic through a constantly shifting, changing network. It’s like an onion, where you get routed through layers upon layers of different forms of encryption. It’s used in countries like Syria and China by US agents when they want to get around the strict monitoring and censorship policies those countries. On a lower level, it can get you around that tricky siteblocking at school or work. Of course, there are some problems, such as minor slowness and possible privacy issues, but this is the best thing on the free market, indeed the money market as well. Information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_%28anonymity_network%29 and it can be found here: http://www.torproject.org/

Well, these are the programs you can use to keep your private stuff safe. But remember, nothing is entirely safe all the time. Encryption can be broken. If you’re going to use these programs, just remember that they all aren’t foolproof. The internet and the way we use it is constantly changing, so remember to be cautious always.